Palladium favorite Rosa Rio is gone

Rosa Rio, the 107-year-old master of the theater organ and the piano, died Thursday. She went peacefully, says her husband, Bill Yeoman.

We were so fortunate to have her on the Palladium stage for the past two years. And I was blessed to know her and, on occasion, sing with her for shows both at the Palladium and Tampa Theatre.

I’ll be writing more about Rosa but for now you can read about her here.

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Marty Balin, of Jefferson Airplane, spices up Palladium’s Side Door show

A Sunday afternoon in our cabaret with the Rowan Brothers and the great fiddler, Sue Cunningham, was already a treat – they are some of the finest singers, songwriters and musicians in the Americana/Bluegrass scene. But when an old friend stopped by to sing, things got even more interesting.

Marty Balin, the  singer and songwriter for the Jefferson Airplane, joined his buddies for four songs, including Balin’s 1970s hit – Count On Me.

Opening the Rowan Cunningham Band show were Tampa’s favorite cowpunks – the Crabgrass Cowboys, looking a lot like Roy and Dale in their fringed western gear.

If you didn’t make it Sunday, you will have another chance. I spoke with Dale Gross, of Caberfeidh Productions, who co-produced the show with us. He says the Rowan Cunningham Band will be back next year!

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The Palladium goes POP this Summer!

Summer in Florida has always been a time to forget your troubles and have some fun. That’s why the Palladium is ramping up the fun-quotient with six pop concerts in June, July and August.

You like ’60s pop stars? We’ve got two of the biggest – Peter Noone of Herman’s Hermits (July 24), and Davy Jones of The Monkees (Aug. 15). Tribute shows? We’ve got a tribute to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons (July 31), along with Chris McDonald’s “Memories of Elvis” (June 26), and the best Beatles tribute band – The Fab Four (July 16). The series concludes with the great 80s group Air Supply (Aug. 28).

For tickets, dates and more information check out our brand new website at mypalladium.org.

And keep an eye on this blog for interviews and stories on the performers.

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